byako

I am so sorry to hear/read about that. He looks like an absolutely beautiful baby too. I definitely understand though. While I was in college I had to put my 13yo cat down and it absolutely broke my heart. It may feel like the absolute worst thing, and i don't know if you're the same as I was when I did it, but I felt extremely guilty. I constantly wondered if it was the right thing to do, if I could have done anything else for her -- I couldn't. Just keep reminding yourself it's for the better for him. He's released from any pain, suffering, and/or ailments he had thanks to that hard decision, and he's no doubt very thankful for it. I wish you all the best in your time of grieving. Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

We were told no Pasta or rice, and if you have bread you have to toast it well (so it can't absorb Fluid and expand in pouch). I usually stick to the one piece of toast and put some seasoning on it to make it less bland (I like ranch seasoning). You can also have a small/med potato with skin -- that's where all the good stuff's at! I've also been doing Protein shakes in the morning because I'd just bought a ton of powder. I like the optimum nutrition mocha or chocolate flavors. Only problem with the shakes is they're liquid so they run through you quickly and you're hungry again. So I usually make mine with 2 scoops protein powder, half a frozen banana, ground chia and flax seeds, and some peanut powder. I also use only about half the Water, and add about 6 ice cubes. All this thickens it, and I'm good for hours on it. My drs hate it, but now that I'm out of it, I really really miss it, lol! Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

Hope I'm not too late on this, but thought I'd share what my program has us eat. Meals are basically: 3oz weighed Protein 2 servings veggies (2c raw or 1c cooked) 1 serving carbs 1 serving fat (tsp butter/oil) Doesn't seem like much, but it's actually quite filling and satisfying. It also works best if you eat the protein first -- takes longer to digest, so makes you feel full faster and longer. Eat 3 of these meals a day, 4-6 hours apart. I've been losing about a pound a day on it, with no added exercise Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

Hmm, which vitamins did you get that are so gross? Glad to hear it's getting easier to get hydrated though!

Grats on your surgery!! I know it's a bit too late for you, but I'd seen in a video how you can use gas-x strips to try and relieve the gas after surgery. Geh on the pills. That's one part that worries me also! Is it any easier to take them one-by-one?

Thank you all SO much for the responses! They are fantastic and have definitely reassured me! Like I said before... I don't NEED or even PLAN to have or do any of these things often, but it's honestly the option of being able to that means more to me. I've seen our program psych, and he's given me a referral to see an additional one, so I do plan to do that. I'd also like to get into exercise, but at the moment I have pain that is stopping me. I haven't been to a support group yet, I've been missing them, but I'm planning to hit up the next available one. Sadly, my father is very much against this surgery, and quite unsupportive, but my friends are still backing me for it, and BP is turning out to be an amazing resource as well. Again, thank you all so, so much for your responses!!

Hey folks! So I'm kind of JUST starting out on this ride, and I'm already having yo-yo-ing thoughts about whether to have this done or not. Many of them are my own, but I've also got my father's constant disapproval buzzing in my ear about it. I'm 30 years old with PCOS. I'm pretty sedentary, but even with my previous, highly physical jobs I've been unable to break past 220lbs. I've tried the low-carb, weight watchers, and Meal Replacement shakes, and still, that's as far as I get. I also have issues with fatigue, poor sleep, anxiety, depression, and knee pain, much of which I expect to at least somewhat improve with weight loss. So with all of this, the surgery seems like a GREAT idea... until I start thinking of all of the restrictions. Most of the restrictions aren't really a huge deal... If I super duper put my mind to it, I can stick to all of the restrictions... when I'm in a good mood, at home, and don't have any sort of temptations staring me in the face. However, from time to time I'd like to indulge in some of those No-No foods! I enjoy baking (sweets) and love my noodles and rices (especially of the Asian variety), but these are big NO's in my program. Same goes for caffeine. I can totally switch to decaff, and some times I don't want tea or coffee at all, but from time to time I'd like to have my favorite (caffeinated) teas and boba drinks! And I am an emotional eater/drinker, so when I'm feeling down, my will does tend to bend and crack quite easily. I'm also rather worried about the issues with absorbing nutrients after surgery -- is it really so much more difficult with the sleeve? I realize that for the first half-year at least I have to be good, and I know that this would be great for my health... but do I really have to give up on all of these things for LIFE, or can I get away with an occasional indulgence? I know at the very least they'd slow my results down... but at least I wouldn't feel like I'd sort of devolved.

Congrats @@CNOEL3 ! I'm actually scheduled for the same class, so maybe I'll see you there! Was funny, when I called to sign up for them I was told people don't usually go in that order (just had orientation, seeing Dr Z for first time tomorrow, no surgeon yet), but we were encouraged to quickly sign up for them or attend support groups in orientation. @@aqua24 You asked how far out surgeries are scheduled... I remember them making a big point of telling us they only schedule out 1 month in advance, and no later than that. Also, I'd try to just keep calling. I had a similar problem with the Richmond number, but kept calling and eventually got through.

I just started at the Richmond Kaiser location! I have my first appointment with Dr z in a week, kinda nervous for it. Should I have booked an appointment with a surgeon too? I dont even know a goal weight yet Sent from my SGH-T999N using the BariatricPal App

You can also look into those spray removers. I believe Nair has some. Just spray, wait 5-10 mins, then scrape off with provided scraper or an old credit card. The spray eats at the hair and makes it super easy to remove it. No blades of any kind necessary! Sent from my SGH-T999N using the BariatricPal App